Physico-chemical and morphological evaluation of palm kernel shell particulate reinforced aluminium matrix composites

The superior physical and mechanical properties of metals matrix composites in comparison to the matrix metals over a wide range of operating conditions makes them an attractive option in replacing metals for various engineering applications. In the present investigation, Aluminium alloy 6063 was reinforced with varying weight percentage of 212 µm palm kernel shell (PKS) particles (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%). The composite was prepared in a mild steel permanent mould, using stir-casting technique. Some chemical, physical and microstructural properties (XRF, XRD, density, % porosity and SEM-EDX) of the composites produced were characterized, evaluated and compared with that of the matrix alloy. The structural assessment evaluation of the reinforcement revealed the presence of elements and oxides that could improve the structure, physical and the mechanical properties of the composites. The morphological investigation showed that the secondary phase of PKS reinforcements were dispersed homogeneously in the Aluminium Matrix primary phase. The reinforcement of PKS particles improved the density of the produced composite over that of the base alloy, while the percentage porosity of the composites increased with increase in palm kernel shell content but lies within the maximum permissible limit for cast aluminium metal matrix composites. Formation of intermetallic compounds was evident in the composites developed

Mechanical and microstructural characteristics of Aluminium 6063 Alloy/Palm Kernel shell composites for lightweight applications

The mechanical properties and microstructure of AA6063 alloy reinforced with palm kernel shell (PKS) powder were studied. AA6063 matrix composites reinforced with varying weight fractions of palm kernel shell particles (ranging from 2.5% to 15% at 2.5 intervals) were prepared using the stir compocasting technique. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the developed composites were analysed and compared with the matrix alloy. The experimental results showed that palm kernel shell reinforcement influenced the structure of AA6063 alloy through grain refinement as it remained homogeneously dispersed within the matrix, and the mechanical properties of the composites were improved. The mechanical stirring action employed during composite fabrication was an effective factor that influenced the enhancement of the mechanical properties of AA6063-PKS matrix composites. AA6063-PKS composites had improved mechanical properties compared to AA6063 alloys without reinforcement. The mechanical properties increase with increasing weight fraction of PKS particle in terms of the ultimate tensile strength (78.93% at 7.5%pks), yield strength (98.82% at 7.5%pks),%elongation (32.2% at 12.5%pks), and impact strength (12.92j to 31.96j at 10%pks), while hardness decreases with increasing content of PKS particle (from 2.5%-15%pks), but maintained values higher than that of the unreinforced base alloy. This progressive decrease in hardness as the reinforcement increases was due to agglomeration and non-homogeneity at higher reinforcement volume

Evaluation of the effect of reinforcement particle sizes on the impact and hardness properties of hardwood charcoal particulate-polyester resin composites

The influence of hardwood charcoal particles (HWCP) on some mechanical properties and surface morphology of polyester matrix composites (PMC) was investigated in this work. The polyester base matrix was reinforced with varying weight fraction of HWCP. The composites developed were subjected to impact and hardness tests respectively. The morphological characteristics, elemental characterization and quantification of the synthesized composites were also evaluated. From the results, it is revealed that the composites reinforced with the largest particle sized hardwood charcoal (300 lm) absorbed high impact energy before fracture. However, the composites with lower particle sizes (75, 150 & 250 lm) recorded a high hardness values with increasing weight percent of reinforcements incorporated in the polyester matrix composite. These higher values obtained were attributable to better interfacial bonding due to better mechanical interlocking between the HWCP and polyester resin. The EDX results indicated an increase in the contents of calcium, silicon, potassium and aluminium in the reinforced polyester matrix composites. SEM image show the homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement particles in the majorly carbon matrix phase and increased surface roughness of the reinforced polyester matrix composites

Optimization and development of predictive models for the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in sulphuric acid by methyl-5-benzoyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (mebendazole)

In this paper, we report the optimization and development of predictive models for the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in sulphuric acid by Methyl-5-benzoyl-2-benzimidazole Carbamate (Mebendazole). Design expert was used to analyze the corrosion inhibition related process parameters, such as corrosion penetration rate, inhibition efficiency, inhibitor concentration, acid concentration, weight loss, and their relationships. An attempt is made to obtain the optimal settings for this corrosion inhibition related process parameters. Design methodology, weight loss measurement, open-circuit potential analysis, Tafel polarization, etc. were used for the evaluation of inhibition efficiency of mebendazole for mild steel in H2SO4. The corrosion inhibition process parameters were optimized and predictive mathematical models developed using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the central composite design (CCD) tool of Design Expert software version 11. Experimental and theoretical corrosion inhibition parameters were used to develop a nonlinear regression model to predict the optimal inhibition efficiency. Also, a quadratic model was generated, with predicted optimum inhibition efficiency of 88.4095% obtained having very near unity desirability of 0.914. The developed model shows that inhibition efficiency is related to the inhibitor concentration, immersion time, and acid concentration. The regression models generated are successfully used to predict the corrosion inhibition behaviour of mebendazole for low carbon steel in sulphuric acid medium